Eastern Cape backs Ramaphosa to lead ANC

East London - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has received an overwhelming support in the Eastern Cape after a whopping 423 branches nominated him for the ANC’s top job against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s only 61 nominations in the entire province.

Ramaphosa, who is due to address a fundraising dinner in East London on Friday evening, was nominated by branches even from the regions that were perceived to be Dlamini-Zuma’s strongholds.

At the party’s provincial general council (PGC), held in East London today, it was announced that the only region that Ramaphosa did not receive much support was Amathole. Amathole region’s 45 branches nominated Dlamini-Zuma against Ramaphosa’s 34.

In the OR Tambo, the province’s biggest region, Ramaphosa was nominated by 115 branches against Dlamini-Zuma’s eleven.

Addressing the PGC, Treasurer General Dr Zweli Mkhize appealed to Eastern Cape delegates to foster unity at the party’s national conference. “The ANC must come out stronger after this national conference. We can never allow any divisions in our party because we have already lost capable comrades due to slate politics,” Mkhize said.

Mkhize has also received support from the province, after many of the Eastern Cape branches nominated him for the deputy president position. Mkhize was nominated by 193 branches against David Mabuza’s 190. Naledi Pandor, who is believed to be under Ramaphosa’s slate, received 59 nominations for the position of deputy president.

ANC provincial chairperson Oscar Mabuyane said over 90% of the province’s branches have set for their branch general meetings.